Who can receive a wish?

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 must be referred to the Foundation and determined to be medically eligible for a wish by their physician. The child's treating physician makes the final determination of whether a child's medical condition qualifies him or her for a wish.

Does a child's condition have to be terminal to qualify for a wish?

No. Many of the children who qualify for a wish go on to lead healthy lives. We grant the wishes of medically eligible children (i.e., those diagnosed with critical illnesses — a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy).

Are there any restrictions on a wish?

Each Make-A-Wish chapter follows specific policies and guidelines for granting a child's wish. The physician also plays a major role in determining whether the child's condition will permit a particular wish to be coordinated safely. Make-A-Wish staff members work closely with the wish child's physician to determine the most appropriate time to grant the wish, keeping in mind the child's treatment protocol or other concerns.

Does the family have to pay for the wish?

No. All wish expenses are fully covered, including all travel and spending money when appropriate. Make-A-Wish's objective is to create a memorable wish experience for both the child and family that is not clouded by financial concerns.

Does the wish family have to meet income qualifications before a child can receive a wish?

What are the most requested wishes?

Most wish requests fall into four major categories:

I wish to go:
Some wish kids want to travel to their favorite theme park, while others want to visit an exotic beach, go on a cruise, see snow for the first time, or attend a major sporting event or concert.

I wish to be:
Children search the depths of their imagination when they wish to be someone for a day — a firefighter, a police officer or a model.

I wish to meet:
Many want to meet their favorite athlete, recording artist, television personality, movie star, politician or public figure.

I wish to have:
Children often wish for a special gift, such as a computer, a tree house, a shopping spree or something that they have coveted for a long time.

Do you grant wishes to adults?

No. Make-A-Wish only grants wishes to children who have been referred to the organization and determined to be eligible for a wish before their 18th birthday by their physician. However, there are other wish-granting organizations that grant wishes to adults.

Does Make-A-Wish accept vehicle donations?

What are your sources of funding?

Make-A-Wish America finances its work through individual contributions, corporate donations, foundation grants, planned gifts, and chapter fees and assessments. Make-A-Wish relies on in-kind contributions to lessen the cost of goods and services. Local chapters are funded in much the same way and also rely on special events and in-kind donations. Make-A-Wish does not solicit contributions over the phone or door-to-door.

Does Make-A-Wish telemarket?

Make-A-Wish does not, under any circumstances, engage telemarketers to raise money, despite sometimes being confused with other organizations that do. In fact, Make-A-Wish has a nationwide policy against telephone and door-to-door solicitation. There are a number of other sound-alike organizations — some also with "wish" in their names. Make-A-Wish has no affiliation with any other wish-granting organization. If you receive a call from someone asking for a donation, ask the caller to send you more information.